Obituary of Robert J. Nash

     Dr. Robert J. Nash passed away peacefully on September 19, 2023, at the age of 84, with his wife of 60 years, Ann Nash, at his side. He lived his life full out, applying his sharp intellect to his career, hobbies, and home life, until frontotemporal dementia slowed him in the final years of his life.

     Bob was born in 1939 in Dursley, England, and pursued a University education in the sciences at the urging of his school headmaster. In Bangor, Wales, he studied chemistry, climbed mountains, and met his future wife, Ann.  Bob and Ann were married in 1963 in Bristol, England, and emigrated to the United States in 1965 after Bob received his Ph.D. After a postdoctoral position at Amherst College, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where they had two children, Huw and John. The family moved to Webster, New York in 1970, where Bob began a long and successful career as a research scientist at Xerox. He was awarded several patents, and in 2002, he was awarded the Chester F. Carlson Award for outstanding technical work in electrophotographic printing.

     “Dr Bob” was well-known for his sense of humor, including a memorable stint as the editor of the local American Chemical Society newsletter. His “April Fools” issues were a satirical highlight each year. His dry humor brought smiles to many, and he always looked on the bright side of life. He brought the same enthusiasm to his many hobbies, including woodworking, plant cultivation, hiking, swimming, electronics, Japanese language, and gardening. His house in Webster is surrounded by flowers, heather borders, ponds, and ornamental gates, and his English/Japanese hybrid garden won the D&C Garden of the Year in 2005. In retirement, he volunteered to tend and expand the garden at the Webster Comfort Care home.

     His spirit of exploration took him on many travels, including family camping vacations to National Parks around the country, visits back to Britain to see relatives and the Welsh mountains, and business travel around the world that culminated in his posting to Fuji Xerox in Japan for almost three years with Ann at the end of his career.

     He is survived by his loving wife, Ann, his two sons, Huw and John, his sister Rosemary, and his grandchildren Penn, Owen, Sean, Colin and Johanna. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Monday October 9^th from noon-4 pm at the White House Lodge in Webster Park.  Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.